Immigration

ICE Responds To California Officially Becoming A Sanctuary State

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a response to the news that California has officially declared itself to be a sanctuary state.

Governor Jerry Brown signed into law SB 54, otherwise known as that the California Values Act, that would heavily limit the amount of assistance that local and state law enforcement officers will be able to provide for immigration enforcement agents and officials.

To be clear, SB 54 does not offer protection for legal immigrants, but only attempts to provide additional cover for illegal immigrants and those who have overstayed their visas.

The California governor, however, claimed that the bill would not hinder ICE from being able to go about doing its job. During his signing statement, he said,

“This bill does not prevent or prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Department of Homeland Security from doing their own work in any way.”

ICE, however, disagrees with this assessment. From an official statement from the immigration enforcement agency:

“Governor Jerry Brown’s decision to sign SB54 and make California a sanctuary state for illegal aliens – including those who have committed crimes – will undermine public safety and hinder ICE from performing its federally mandated mission. The governor is simply wrong when he claims otherwise.”

SB54 will negatively impact ICE operations in California by nearly eliminating all cooperation and communication with our law enforcement partners in the state, voiding the delegated authority that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has under the 287g program, and prohibiting local law enforcement from contracting with the federal government to house detainees.”

ICE went on to say that SB54 would have consequences including the agency having to conduct large scale raids in local neighborhoods and work-sites:

“ICE will have no choice but to conduct at-large arrests in local neighborhoods and at worksites, which will inevitably result in additional collateral arrests, instead of focusing on arrests at jails and prisons where transfers are safer for ICE officers and the community.

ICE will also likely have to detain individuals arrested in California in detention facilities outside of the state, far from any family they may have in California.”

Finally, ICE pointed out that SB54 would serve as a magnet for more illegal immigration.

“Ultimately, SB54 helps shield removable aliens from immigration enforcement and creates another magnet for more illegal immigration, all at the expense of the safety and security of the very people it purports to protect.”

Since Donald Trump took office, Governor Jerry Brown and other Democratic Party politicians have seemingly made it their mission to take the side of those who have broken American laws over the law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants who have overwhelmingly demanded that the nation enforce its borders.

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